Osteophtes (bone spurs) can anything be done?

I havent heard to much about bone spurs on this board, so I was just wondering if anyone has be diagnosed with this. My MRI shows that I have them in the region of the exit foramen, left exit foramen between L4 and L5 that does displace the exiting left L4 nerve root posteriorly, but the root is not thickened. There are other places with this as well but wont mention them all here.(it seems there is alot of them)

My question is there anyone here who has this and what if anything did they do for you? I also have DDD in L4 and L5 (disc space virtually obliterated.) I understand that osteophytes go hand in hand with DDD.

Hi, I have the same diagnosis as you, but was told that the osteophytes and bone spurs were there 'cause my body has been trying to heal itself from the injury to my spine from a car accident, and that there's nothing that can be done!!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, and am not even sure if this is your case too, but that's what's going on with me!!
I was in a car accident, that caused herniated and bulging discs in my spine!! After a few MRI's, it shows the osteophytes BEGINNING to form and bone spurs! Do you have any herniated/bulging discs?? What brought you to getting an MRI to begin with?
Anyway, I hope your dr is able to help you, so that this doesn't end up as a 24/7 severe pain issue for you!! If you do find something that helps with the pain etc., please post back and let me know!! I could use all the relief I can get!! Take care!

Well,
This is a major problem with me. Last summer I had a discectomy/laminectomy because I told my doctor that something was stopping my mobility as I had NONE and my back was absolutely killing me. I was from doctor to doctor and noone believed that I had something other than disc pain. I had MRI's and bone scans and nothing showed.
I had the surgery last summer and my doctor was shocked to find out that there was a huge bone spur (L4 L5, where the discectomy was) that was trapping the nerve and it was major problem. It did not show on the tests previous to surgery.
He shaved the spurring down and trimmed the disc.
Well, about 6-7 months into it, I wasn't feeling like my progress was so good. I had another MRI only to find out it is back! Being that the disc is so far gone, the facets are overloaded and rubbing together causing this spurring I guess. My mobility is horrible and I can't do much of anything. Most positions cause the spur to trap the nerve. I am going to be having a cage fusion at that level to stop the excessive motion of the joints and fill the disc space, etc.
I truyly hope it works cause I don't think there is anything else at all I can do.
This is my only hope. I just want a life again, I've been dealing with this for almost 3 years.

Bone spurs grow back. It is part of the body's process after an injury, kinda like arthritis. Did your doc suggest surgery to remove them? I wouldn't unless they are causing problems. Why be cut open if they are just going to grow back. I have one in my rotator cuff right now. I had it cut out and it grew back from repetitive use.

Bone spurs can be removed, but they have a tendency to just grow right back. So I think it is not something that is done routinely, but they might remove them If they are in there doing something else.

My husband also has advanced DDD from L2 down to S1. L5-S1 has total loss of disc space with osteophtes and he has paralysis in his left foot that comes and goes depending on his activity level. His pain never ends he can't work and can barely sleep more than 3 or 4 hours at a time. He has tried most drugs curently out as well as physical therapy, chiropractor, injections and radio frenqency treatment. He would like to have surgery but it seems that the ortho dr. thinks it is to late. Sorry I can offer any advice but you are not alone. If you find anything that helps please let us know.

Bone spurs are osteophytes - and there is little that can be done about them.

Osteophytes are what happens to bones as osteo-arthritis progresses. I have asked myself if anything can be done to get rid of them and all the doctors that I have asked have said the same - NO. Besides the spine issues that I have - I have a knee condition that I thought could be corrected - at least helped. It was explained to me that with the growth of osteophytes - although it looks like this is something that could just be shave or lanced off - if this is done - they would only grow back - worse then they had been before. Basically they are a symptom of osteoarthritis. Once Growth has started there is nothing that can be done to stop it. I'm sure there are things that can slow it down - but there is really nothing to stop it - yet anyway.

i have been diagnosed with L4 and L5 sublaxated. and i have ostephytes on my vertabrae as well. im getting treatment with a chiro for the sublaxation. we suggested trying a product called metazyme its suppose to reduce the ostephytes. at this point i will try anything, im in so much pain all the time. im still and get stabbing pains and spasms all the way down to my butt.

he said i wasnt digesting protein and these would help dissolve them, i should notice in about 3 weeks some changes. i really hope so im tired of being in so much pain all the time.